The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the newly renovated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, reaffirming her commitment to providing girls whose education has been disrupted by life’s challenges with opportunities to rebuild their future.
The school, established in 2007 by Senator Tinubu during the tenure of her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Governor of Lagos State, was created to provide girls whose education had been interrupted by early pregnancy and other socio-economic challenges an opportunity to return to school, complete their secondary education and acquire vocational skills.
The renovated facility comprises two blocks with more than 26 classrooms and is equipped with agriculture, physics and biology laboratories, as well as facilities for cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics.
It also has a well-equipped library and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the establishment of the school was founded on the conviction that no girl or woman should be denied the opportunity to reach her full potential because of the challenges she encounters in life.
Senator Tinubu expressed delight at the renovation and equipping of the school through the intervention of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), commending its Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, and her team for their commitment to improving the learning environment.
She also applauded UBEC’s efforts towards establishing Alternative High Schools for Girls across the country, particularly the ongoing construction of another such school in Ikorodu, Lagos State, which she said would soon be ready for commissioning.
According to her, the vision is to establish at least one Alternative High School for Girls in each of the three senatorial districts of Lagos State.
She noted that Lagos West and Lagos East now have one school each, leaving Lagos Central as the remaining district.
The First Lady therefore urged the Lagos State Government to complete the initiative by establishing an additional Alternative High School for Girls in Lagos Central, while ensuring the effective operation and proper maintenance of all the schools.
She said this would enable more girls to complete their education and acquire relevant skills to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to society.
Addressing the students, Senator Tinubu encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the school and refuse to allow their past experiences to determine their future.
“Let your past not define your future. With determination, discipline and hard work, you can achieve your dreams and become positive contributors to our nation’s development,” she said.
The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, described the commissioning as the unveiling of a new school that had restored dignity and created new opportunities for young women.
She stressed the importance of educating girls, saying, “Educating a girl is educating a family, a community and a nation.”
The renovated school is expected to provide students with an improved learning environment while equipping them with academic and vocational skills needed to pursue further education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
